Block structure

ABSTRACT

A block structure adaptable for use as a toy and including a plurality of blocks secured in side-by-side relationship to a sheet of flexible material. The geometric attitude of the blocks with respect to each other may be changed by bending the sheet along the junctures between the blocks. The blocks may be temporarily locked in a particular geometric configuration by wedges insertable into such junctures and engageable with the facing sides of adjacent blocks.

United States Patent [721 inventor Wesley D. Simpson 2126 S. WaldenAve., Appleton, Wis.

5491 l [2! 1 Appl No. 865.548 [22] Filed Oct. 13,1969 {45] Patented Aug.24, 1971 [54] BLOCK STRUCTURE 20 Claims, 23 Drawing Figs.

[52 u.s.c| .I 46/16 15 [1 'nt. Cl A631! 33/00 [50] Field of Search 46/16[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.002.309 l0/l96l Snyder46/16 FOREIGN PATENTS 694,1 8 1964 Canada Primary Examiner- Louis G.Mancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever AnorneyBirch, Swindler, McKie &Beckett ABSTRACT: A block structure adaptable for use as a toy andincluding a plurality of blocks secured in side-by-side relationship toa sheet of flexible material. The geometric attitude of the blocks withrespect to each other may be changed by bending the sheet along thejunctures between the blocks. The blocks may be temporarily locked in aparticular geometric configuration by wedges insertable into suchjunctures and engageable with the facing sides of adjacent blocks.

PATENTEDAUB24I9TI 3,600,844

SHEET 1 ur 4 WESLEY D. SIMPSON, INVENTOR BYM WW4 ATTORNEYS PMENTED AU824I97! SHEET 2 BF 4 PAIENTED M1824 I97! SHEET '4 0F 4 FIG. 23

FIG. 2|

variety of different BLOCK STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to block structures adaptable for use as a toy, andspecifically to a block structure in which a plurality of blocks may bearranged in a variety of different geometric attitudes with respect toeach other.

Many types of block structure toys are known. Generally, such toyscomprise a plurality of separate blocks of different shapes and sizes.The blocks comprising some such toys include means integral therewith orconnectable thereto for holding a plurality of the blocks in aparticular geometric attitude with respect to each other. One of theproblems associated with toys of this type is that the individual blocksfrequently are lost, thus reducing the entertainment and instructionalvalue of the toy.

Also, the shapes of the objects which can be made with conventionalbuilding blocks is limited due to the necessity of stacking each blockon a linearly extending planer surface, such as a table top, a floor, oranother block.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The block structure of the present inventionminimizes the foregoing disadvantages associated with conventionalbuilding block structures. Basically described, the block structure ofthe invention comprises; a sheet of flexible material; a plurality ofblocks secured to the sheet in side-by-side relationship with at leastone side of each block positioned adjacent a side of another block sothat the geometric attitude of the blocks with respect to each other maybe changed by bending the sheet along the junctures between the blocks;and at least one locking means insertable into the juncture between twoof the blocks and engageable with the facing sides thereof for holdingsaid two blocks in a particular geometric attitude with respect to eachother.

Due to the attachment of the individual blocks to the sheet of flexiblematerial, the likelihood of the blocks being lost is minimized. Also,the sheet of flexible material permits a wide variety of objects havingdifferent configurations to be made with the structure.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved block structure, which structure is particularlyadaptable for use as a toy.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a block structure inwhich a plurality of blocks may be arranged in a I geometric attitudeswith respect to each other.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a block structure inwhich aplurality of blocks are secured in side-by-side relationship to asheet of flexible material, and in which the geometric attitude of theblocks with respect to each other may be changed by bending the sheetalong the junctures between the blocks.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a block structureas described in the preceding object wherein the likelihood ofindividual blocks being lost is minimized due to the attachment of theblocks to the sheet of flexible material.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a block structurewhich may be used for constructing relatively simple buildingstructures, such as storage sheds, cabanas, and the like.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent upon aconsideration of the detailed description of the preferred embodimentsthereof given in connection with the following drawings, wherein likereference numerals identify like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of oneembodiment of the basic structural unit of the block structure of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the structural unit shown in FIG. 1,showing a particular geometric attitude of the blocks with respect toeach other;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing another particular geometricattitude of the blocks with respect to each other;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, further showing a locking means fortemporarily locking the blocks in a particular geometric attitude withrespect to eachother;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support means for holding the blocksin a particular geometric attitude with respect to each other;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the supportmeans shown in FIG. 5 is employed;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are plan views of additional embodiments of the basicstructural unit of the block structure of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a connecting means forinterconnecting two or more of the basic structural units, and themanner in which the connecting means is employed;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing another embodiment of aconnecting means; 4

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a connecting means;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of the connecting means shown in FIG. 12,showing one manner in which the connecting means may be employed;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13, showing another manner in whichthe connecting means may be employed;

FIGS. 15 and 16 are plan views of additional embodiments of the basicstructural unit of the block structure of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an enclosure that may be made with thestructural units shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 and the connecting means shownin FIGS. 12-14; and

FIGS. 18-23 are perspective views of representative geometricconfigurations that may be made with various embodiments of the blockstructure of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the basicstructural unit of the block structure of the invention is shown in FIG.1, as designated by reference numeral 10. Unit 10 comprises a pluralityof blocks 12 secured in side-by-side relationship to a sheet 14 offlexible material. In all of the embodimentsof the basic structuralunit, at least one side of each block is positioned adjacent a side ofat least one other block. With reference to unit 10 and as shown in FIG.1, at least two sides of each block 12 are positioned adjacent the sidesof other blocks. Conveniently blocks 12 are all shaped as squareparallelepipeds and are all of equal dimensions, with the facing sidesof adjacent blocks being coextensive in length and height.

The geometric attitude of blocks 12 with respect to each other may bechanged by bending sheet 14 along the junctures between the blocks. Thisfeature is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In FIG. 2, the two blocks atthe lef -hand portion of unit 10 are inclined downwardly with respect tothe remaining blocks of the unit. In FIG. 3, the three blocks at theforward portion of the unit are inclined downwardly with respect to theother blocks of the unit. As is apparent from this description, blocks12 may be positioned in various geometric attitudes with respect to eachother to make various geometric configurations with unit 10.

Means are shown in FIG. 4 for temporarily locking blocks 12 in aparticular geometric attitude with respect to each other. The lockingmeans conveniently comprises a wedge 16 insertable into the juncturesbetween adjacent blocks and engageable with the facing sides thereof.Wedges 16 may be coextensive in-length with the sides of one or moreblocks 12. The particular wedge 16 shown in FIG. 4 is representative,andis coextensive in length with the sides of two blocks. A particulargeometric configuration thus may be made with unit 10, and the unittemporarilylocked into such configuration by inserting one or morewedges 16 into the junctures between blocks 12. Consequently, a childmay make various entertaining and instructional objects with unit 10quickly and easily.

A support means is shown in FIG. 5 for holding blocks in a particulargeometric attitude with respect to each other. The support meanscomprises a channel member 18 having an L- shaped cross section definedby a pair of flanges 20 and 22 of equal length. Member 18 is adapted torest on a planar surface with the lateral extremities of flanges 20 and22 contacting such surface. A pair of notches 24 and 26 are formed inmember 18, commencing at the juncture of flanges 20 and 22 and extendingequally into the flanges. Notches 24 and 26 are each of an appropriatewidth for receiving therein and engaging one of blocks 12 from a side ofthe block having no other block adjacent thereto. Also, the notches maybe parallel to each other'and spaced apart a distance equal to the widthof one of blocks 12 for holding unit 10 in the configuration shown inFIG. 6. However, the length of member 18, the directionof notches 24 and26, and the spacing between the notches may be varied for use withstructural units having a greater number of blocks than are included inunit 10.

Another embodiment of the basic structural unit of the invention isshown in FIG. 7, as designated by reference numeral 30. Unit 30 isgenerally similar to unit 10 but includes more blocks than unit 10, thusproviding a greater variation in the number of configurations that canbe made with unit 30. Also,

unit 30 includes a plurality of blocks 32 which are shaped as triangularprisms. Blocks 32 are arranged such that the junctures therebetweenform' a diagonal across unit 30. Thus, sheet 14 ofthe unit may be bentalong such diagonal, or along the juncturesbetween blocks 12 and blocks12 and 32.

Additional embodiments of the basic structural unit of the invention areshown in FIGS. 8 and 9, as designated by reference numeral 40 and 50,respectively. Each of units 40 and 50 includes a substantially greaternumber of blocks than either of units 10 or 30. Specifically, each ofunits 40 and 50 includes'a plurality of blocks 12 and a plurality ofblocks 32, with the latter being arranged such that the juncturestherebetween form two diagonals extending across the unit. The onlydifference between units 40 and 50 is that the diagonals formed byblocks 32 are at different positions within the units.

One embodiment of a connecting means for interconnecting two or more ofthe basic structural units is shown in FIG. 10. The connecting meanscomprises a channel member 53 having an H-shaped cross section definedby a pair spaced, parallel, lateral flanges 54 and 56 and an internalflange 58. Flange 58 interconnects flanges 54 and 56 intermediate theends of the latter. The spaces defined between flanges 54 and 56 oneither side of flange 58 are each of an appropriate width for receivingtherein and engaging one or more blocks of a structural unit from a sideof the blocks having no other blocks adjacent thereto. As shown in FIG.10, member 52 is long enough to accommodate three blocks 12 of each oftwo units 10 in the spaces defined between flanges 54 and 56. As will be7 apparent, the channel member may be used for interconnecting any twobasic structural units.

Another embodiment of a connecting means is shown in FIG. ll, comprisinga channel member 60. Member 60 is shaped similarly to member 52 but isonly long enough to accommodate one block 12 of each of two units 10 inthe spaces defined between the lateral flanges of the member. As isapparent from FIG. 1], member 60 can be used not only forinterconnecting two structural units, but also for holding the units ina particular geometric configuration.

An additional embodiment of a connecting means is shown in FIG. 12,comprising a prism-shaped connecting member 62.

. Member 62 is shown to be shaped as an octagonal prism, however, themember may have a greater or lesser number of lateral sides than eight.Member 62 mayhave a circular opening 64 extending longitudinallytherethrough to facilitate grasping the member by a child. Also, themember has a notch 66 formed in each of the lateral sides thereof. Eachof notches 66 is defined by a first planar surface 68 parallel to thebases of the prism, a second planar surface 70 inclined inwardly andaway from the adjacent base of the prism, and a third planar surface 72parallel to the longitudinal axis of the prism. Notches 66 are of anappropriate width for receiving therein and engaging the blocks of apair of structural units and shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, respectively. 7

Unit 80 comprises a plurality of blocks-12 secured in sideby-siderelationship in a row to a sheet of flexible material. The outer comersof one of the end blocks, i.e. the corners remote from the adjacentblock, are bevelled to form bevels 82 extending between the sides of theblock having no other blocks adjacent thereto.

Unit 90 also comprises a plurality of blocks secured side-bysiderelationship in a row to a sheet of flexible material. However, theshapes of the blocks comprising unit 90 substantially differ from thesquare parallelepiped shape of blocks 12. The blockscomprising unit 90include an end block 92 shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped, twointermediate blocks 94 and 96 shaped as trapezoidal prisms, and anotherend block 98 shaped as a triangular prism.

A plurality of units 80 and 90 may be interconnected by connectingmember 62 to form a substantially hemispherical shaped, domelikeenclosure 100, shown in FIG. 17. To make enclosure 100, units 80 and 90are alternately connected to member 62, with the end block 12 of eachunit 80 having bevels 82 thereon and the end block 98 of each unit 90being received in and engaged by notches 66. As shown in FIG. 17, units80 are aligned with the lateral sides of member 62 and units 90 arealigned with the corners defined by such sides. The end block 98 of eachunit 90 thus is received in and engaged by the end portions of twoadjacent notches 66, between the bevels 82 of the end blocks 12 of theadjacent units 80.

The end block 12 of each unit 80 having bevels 82 thereon may bereceived in and engaged by notches 66 in either of two ways. As shown inFIG. 13, member 62 may be oriented so that the lower surface of the endblock, i.e. the surface secured to sheet 14, is positioned adjacent oneof inclined surfaces 70. A wedge 16 is then inserted between the uppersur-. face of the end block and the associated surface 68, totemporarily lock the end block in a particular geometric attitude withrespect to member 62. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 14, member 62 maybe oriented so that the lower surface of the end block is positionedadjacent one of surfaces 68. A wedge 16 is then inserted between theupper surface of the end block and the associated inclined surface 70,to temporarily lock the end block in a different particular geometricattitude with respect to member 62.

To complete enclosure 100, additional wedges 16 are inserted into thejunctures between the adjacent blocks of units 80 and 90 to temporarilylock each of the units in a substantially arcuate configuration.

While the various embodiments of the block structure of the inventiondescribed hereinabove are particularly adaptable for use as toys,including structural units 80 and 90 and connecting member 62, thelatter components may be dimensioned appropriately for making aninexpensive and easily fabricated building structure, suitable for useas a storage shed, cabana, or the like. For this latter purpose, wedges16 may be permanently or semipermanently affixed in the juncturesbetween the adjacent blocks of units 80 and 90 and in the juncturesbetween the end blocks of units 80 and connecting member 62. This may beaccomplished easily by coating the sides of the wedges with a suitableadhesive before insert-,

means conveniently may be made of wood, and the flexible sheets madefrom a suitable natural or artificial material, such as burlap or nylon.However, it is contemplated that the various components of the structuremay be made from other materials. For example, the blocks and sheets maybe made of a plastic material when the structure is to be used formaking a building structure and where the flexible sheets are to be bentless frequently than when the structure is to be used as a toy.

FIGS. 18-23 illustrate different geometric configurations which may bemade with various embodiments of the invention. A complex geometricconfiguration is shown in FIG. 18 which may be made with structural unit40 and a plurality of wedges 16.

Other less complex configurations are shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 which maybe made with structural units similar to units 40 and 50 but whichinclude no blocks 32.

FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 show various domelike configurations which may bemade with connecting member 62, a plurality of units 80 and a pluralityof wedges 16.

It will be appreciated that the various geometric configurations shownin the drawings are merely representative of a large number ofconfigurations that can be made with the block structure of theinvention. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the blocks of the basicstructural units may be of different sizes and shapes, and that suchunits may include a greater or lesser number of blocks than the unitsspecifically described hereinabove. Thus, while the foregoingconstitutes a detailed description of several preferred embodiments ofthe block structure of the invention, it is recognized that variousmodifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the art.

1 claim 1, A structure comprising;

a sheet of flexible material;

a plurality of blocks secured to said sheet in side-by-side relationshipwith at least one side of each block positioned adjacent a side ofanother block so that the geometric attitude of the blocks with respectto each other may be changed by bending the sheet along the juncturesbetween the blocks; and

at least one locking means insertable into the juncture between two ofthe blocks and engageable with the facing sides thereof for holding saidtwo blocks in a particular geometric attitude with respect to eachother.

2. A structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said locking meanscomprises a wedge.

3. A structure as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of saidblocks is shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped.

4. A structure as recited in claim 3, wherein the facing sides ofadjacent blocks are coextensive in length.

5. A structure as recited in claim 4, wherein the facing sides ofadjacent blocks are coextensive in height.

6. A structure as recited in claim 5, wherein said blocks are allofequal dimensions.

7. A structure as recited in claim 5, wherein said blocks are arrangedin at least one row.

8. A structure as recited in claim 5, wherein said blocks are arrangedin a plurality of parallel rows.

9. A structure comprising:

a sheet of flexible material;

a plurality of blocks secured to said sheet in side-by-side relationshipwith at least one side of each block positioned adjacent a side ofanother block so that the geometric attitude of the blocks with respectto each other may be changed by bending the sheet along the juncturesbetween the blocks;

at least one locking means insertable into the juncture between adjacentblocks and engageable with the facing sides thereof for holding theblocks in a particular geometric attitude with respect to each other;and

a support means adapted to be placed on a planar surface and engageablewith at least two of said blocks each from a side thereof having noother block adjacent thereto for holding the blocks in a particulargeometric attitude with respect to each other. 10. A structure asrecited in claim 9, wherein said support comprises a channel memberhaving a substantially L-shaped cross section defined by a pair offlanges of equal width said member further having a pair of-spacednotches therein for engaging said two blocks.

11. A structure as recited in claim 10, wherein said member is adaptedto rest on the lateral extremities of the flanges, and said notchescommence at the juncture of said flanges and extend equally thereinto.

12. A structure as recited in claim 11, wherein said notches areparallel.

13. A structure comprising:

two structural units, each comprising a sheet of flexible material, aplurality of blocks secured to said sheet in side-by-side relationshipwith at least one side of each block positioned adjacent a side ofanother block so that the geometric attitude of the blocks with respectto each other may be changed by bending the sheet along the juncturesbetween the blocks, and at least one locking means insertable into thejuncture between adjacent blocks and engageable with the facing sidesthereof for holding the blocks in a particular geometric attitude withrespect to each other; and

a connecting means engageable with at least one block of each of saidunits each from a side thereof having no other block adjacent theretofor interconnecting said units.

14. A structure as recited in claim 13, wherein said connecting meanscomprises a channel member having an H-shaped cross section defined bytwo spaced, parallel, lateral flanges and an internal flange disposedtherebetween and intermediate the ends thereof, each of said one blocksbeing engageable by said member between said lateral flanges.

15. A structure as recited in claim 13, wherein said connecting meanscomprises a prism-shaped member having at least one notch in each of atleast two of the lateral sides thereof, each of said one blocks beingengageable by said member in one of said notches.

16. A structure comprising;

a plurality of structural units, each comprising a sheet of flexiblematerial, a plurality of blocks secured to said sheet in side-by-siderelationship in a row with one side of each of the end blocks in the rowpositioned adjacent one side of the adjacent block and opposite sides ofthe intermediate blocks in the row positioned adjacent one side of eachof the adjacent blocks, the facing sides of adjacent blocks beingcoextensive in length and height, whereby the geometric attitude of theblocks with respect to each other may be changed by bending the sheet atthe junctures between the blocks, and at least one locking meansinsertable into the juncture between adjacent blocks and engageable withthe facing sides thereof for holding the blocks in a particulargeometric attitude with respect to each other; and

a connecting means comprising a prism-shaped member having a notch ineach of the lateral sides thereof, one of the end blocks of each saidunits being engageable by said member in said notches so that the unitsmay be interconnected by said member to form an enclosure.

17. A structure as recited in claim 16, wherein the blocks of each ofone-half of said units are shaped as rectangular parallelepipeds and atleast some of the blocks of each of the remainder of said units areshaped as trapezoidal prisms.

18. A structure as recited in claim 17, wherein one of the end blocks ofeach of said remaining units is shaped as a triangular prism.

19. A structure as recited in claim 17, wherein the outer corners of oneof the end blocks of each of said one-half units are bevelled.

20. A structure as recited in claim 5, wherein at least two of saidblocks are shaped as triangular prisms.

2. A structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said locking meanscomprises a wedge.
 3. A structure as recited in claim 1, wherein atleast one of said blocks is shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped.
 4. Astructure as recited in claim 3, wherein the facing sides of adjacentblocks are coextensive in length.
 5. A structure as recited in claim 4,wherein the facing sides of adjacent blocks are coextensive in height.6. A structure as recited in claim 5, wherein said blocks are all ofequal dimensions.
 7. A structure as recited in claim 5, wherein saidblocks are arranged in at least one row.
 8. A structure as recited inclaim 5, wherein said blocks are arranged in a plurality of parallelrows.
 9. A structure comprising: a sheet of flexible material; aplurality of blocks secured to said sheet in side-by-side relationshipwith at least one side of each block positioned adjacent a side ofanother block so that the geometric attitude of the blocks with respectto each other may be changed by bending the sheet along the juncturesbetween the blocks; at least one locking means insertable into thejuncture between adjacent blocks and engageable with the facing sidesthereof for holding the blocks in a particular geometric attitude withrespect to each other; and a support means adapted to be placed on aplanar surface and engageable with at least two of said blocks each froma side thereof having no other block adjacent thereto for holding theblocks in a particular geometric attitude with respect to each other.10. A structure as recited in claim 9, wherein said support comprises achannel member having a substantially L-shaped cross section defined bya pair of flanges of equal width said member further having a pair ofspaced notches therein for engaging said two blocks.
 11. A structure asrecited in claim 10, wherein said member is adapted to rest on thelateral extremities of the flanges, and said notches commence at thejuncture of said flanges and extend equally thereinto.
 12. A structureas recited in claim 11, wherein said notches are parallel.
 13. Astructure comprising: two structural units, each comprising a sheet offlexible material, a plurality of blocks secured to said sheet inside-by-side relationship with at least one side of each blockpositioned adjacent a side of another block so that the geometricattitude of the blocks with respect to each other may be changed bybending the sheet along the junctures between the blocks, and at leastone locking means insertable into the juncture between adjacent blocksand engageable with the facing sides thereof for holding the blocks in aparticular geometric attitude with respect to each other; and aconnecting means engageable with at least one block of each of saidunits each from a side thereof having no other block adjacent theretofor interconnecting said units.
 14. A structure as recited in claim 13,wherein said connecting means comprises a channel member having anH-shaped cross section defined by two spaced, parallel, lateral flangesand an internal flange disposed therebetween and intermediate the endsthereof, each of said one blocks being engageable by said member betweensaid lateral flanges.
 15. A structure as recited in claim 13, whereinsaid connecting means comprises a prism-shaped member having at leastone notch in each of at least two of the lateral sides thereof, each ofsaid one blocks being engageable by said member in one of said notches.16. A structure comprising; a plurality of structural units, eachcomprising a sheet of flexible material, a plurality of blocks securedto said sheet in side-by-side relationship in a row with one side ofeach of the end blocks in the row positioned adjacent one side of theadjacent block and opposite sides of the intermediate blocks in the rowpositioned adjacent one side of each of the adjacent blocks, the facingsides of adjacent blocks being coextensive in length and height, wherebythe geometric attitude of the blocks with respect to each other may bechanged by bending the sheet at the junctures between the blocks, and atleast one locking means insertable into the juncture between adjacentblocks and engageable with the facing sides thereof for holding theblocks in a particular geometric attitude with respect to each other;and a connecting means comprising a prism-shaped member having a notchin each of the lateral sides thereof, one of the end blocks of each saidunits being engageable by said member in said notches so that the unitsmay be interconnected by said member to form an enclosure.
 17. Astructure as recited in claim 16, wherein the blocks of each of one-halfof said units are shaped as rectangulAr parallelepipeds and at leastsome of the blocks of each of the remainder of said units are shaped astrapezoidal prisms.
 18. A structure as recited in claim 17, wherein oneof the end blocks of each of said remaining units is shaped as atriangular prism.
 19. A structure as recited in claim 17, wherein theouter corners of one of the end blocks of each of said one-half unitsare bevelled.
 20. A structure as recited in claim 5, wherein at leasttwo of said blocks are shaped as triangular prisms.